I’m pretty sure I’ve never, ever led a newsletter off with an Irving Berlin Show Tune from a Broadway musical …
Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday
10am to 6pm!
Calendar
Saturday, September 25 – It’s downtown Oktoberfest. Our Hogtoberfest Dinner here at the Wine Merchant 5-7pm.
SOLD OUT!
Tuesday, November 2-- At 6pm we’ll be hosting our annual Alternative Wine Dinner
SOLD OUT!
Thursday, November 18 – 2021 Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting and Dinner.
SOLD OUT!
Saturday, December 4-- 6-8pm will be our Premier Champagne Tasting
SOLD OUT!
Wine News
So much for the changes in wine purchases corresponding with the season. We’re still selling an awful lot of white wines because hey, it’s hot out there. Why complain about the weather...vintners worry about that and a lot more. France has been hit with fires in Provence, crop ruining hail in Champagne and additional dilemmas in other parts of the country. While we’re all aware of the fires in Oregon and California, these are the people who need to worry about the environmental impact on their way of life. There’s no doubt in my mind that the article I read suggesting that there will be shortages in wine this season is unfortunately destined to be true. However, as always we’ll keep the racks as full as we can with your favorites.
Dan’s Feature
Austin Paso Robles NV Cabernet is my feature for this week. Yet once again a surprise from Austin Hope, with Liberty School Reserve coming out in the past 6 months I certainly didn’t expect another release, surprise! Austin Hope himself describes it as follows, “true to Paso Robles’ signature style, this fruit forward Cabernet Sauvignon has enticing aromas of dark fruit, fresh vanilla bean and hints of coffee. On the palate, the dark brooding fruit flavors are balanced with savory notes of black pepper, baking spices along with a touch of tobacco to add warmth and dimension. Lovely notes of sweet oak, lively acidity & fine dusty tannins complete this wine, making it the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy daily”. If you’re one of the many who have enjoyed Austin Hope Cabernet but feel like the price is just a bit too high for dinner tonight then this bottle is for you, $21.99 provides you the opportunity to enjoy this great new release that we’ve just brought in.
Dan’s Pick
This week’s pick is a new 2019 Russian River Chardonnay from Bravium Cellars in Napa. Tasting notes aptly describe this Chardonnay as “bright and balanced wine perfectly reflects the cool-climate Russian River Valley vineyards where it was grown. Brilliant medium-gold color, with honey, pear, apple, pineapple, lemon oil, and white flowers aromas, and a judicious framing of vanillin oak. The wine opens with crisp pineapple and mango fruit flavors that turn into apple and pastry on the full-bodied mid-palate. A finely textured, invigorating mouthfeel, with medium acidity, turns into flinty minerality on the ripe and bouncy finish of this lively Chardonnay”. Whereas I rarely go for a Chardonnay, this bottle at a proper price of $19.99 stood out this week. For a Russian River Chardonnay to be priced at this point, I felt I was on very safe ground in choosing it for my pick this week.
Food News
I went out to dinner last night in a neighboring community, ordered a $46.00 Choice Strip Steak, although cooked perfectly I was a bit disappointed. I’m becoming “that guy”, the one who will critique the most pleasant of experiences. Beef is expensive these days and great beef even more so but rather than falling prey to buying less desirable cuts I decided to up my game.
Food Feature of the Week
Dry Aged 14oz American Imperial Wagyu is obviously my feature this week and the price point…$45.99 the same price I paid for my strip last night. Dry aged beef is always a favorite and Fairlawn Beef does it as good as anyone, dry aged Wagyu well that’s about as good as you can get. I didn’t bring in many but if you’re looking for an exceptional, I mean truly and exceptional cut of beef we have it available for you, and you know sometimes you can do better than well...them.
Market Items…
Fresh Whole Beef Tenderloins $19.99lb
Fresh Whole Beef Tenderloins (broken down) $23.99lb
Fresh 14oz Dry Aged American Imperial Wagyu Ribeyes $45.99
Fresh Piemontese Coulotte (Sirloin Cap Fillets) - $15.99lb
Fresh “Niman Ranch” Teres Major Steaks - $15.99lb
Fresh Wagyu Burgers 2pk - $8.99
Frozen Trimmed Choice Hanger Steaks - $13.99 each
Rinaldi Italian Sausages 4 links per pound - $6.99
Dearborn Smoked Brats 5 links per pound- $7.99
Frozen Kan Kan 2½lb avg Cheshire Chops $12.99lb
Fresh Heritage Kurobuta Berkshire Pork Chops - $12.99 per chop
Oysters Glacier Bay PEI - $18.00 a dozen
Fresh Loch Duart Scottish Salmon -$16.99lb
Frozen Large Langostines - $15.99lb
Frozen U-13/15 Raw Shrimp deveined (1lb package) - $17.99lb
Frozen U-10 Scallops – $24.99lb
Tribeca Bakery Sourdough or Rustic Olive Bread $5.50
New Wines
Austin Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles NV $21.99
Bravium Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2019 $19.99
Iron + Sand Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2018 $24.99
Joseph Phelps Insignia Red Blend Napa Valley 2018 $324.99
Cristom Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2020 $34.99
Ghostrunner Ungrafted Red Lodi, Ca. 2020 $14.99
Juan Gil “Blue Label” Spain 2019 $42.99
Beers
Founders KBS Espresso 4pk bottles $24.99
Findlay Brewing Company Carrot Cake 6pk cans $12.99
Findlay Brewing Company Pumpkin Butt 6pk cans $11.99
Urban Artifact Grapefruit Hard Seltzer 6pk cans $10.99 Great Lakes Nosferatu 4pk cans $11.99
Piraat Single 750ml bottle $14.99
Bent Water Double Thunder Funk 4pk cans $15.99
Heart State Double Break 4pk cans $13.99
Brother’s Drake Blueberry Yum Yum Single 750ml bottle $21.99
Kegs - 1/6 Barrel
North Coast Scrimshaw $114.99
Hi-Wire Lager $105.99
Alesmith IPA $120.99
Final Thought
I am once again reminded as to how many years I’ve been at this game, last night was a birthday dinner for a co-founder and creator of the Wine Merchant. Fifteen years ago today on Patricks birthday we spent the day going through a merchandise mart attempting to choose items that we would need for our new venture, neither of us had a clue what we were doing. Sure it was a horrible way to spend one's birthday, I’m pretty sure last nights dinner made up for it, from all of us Happy Birthday Patrick!
Cheers from all of us here at The Wine Merchant